Motorcycle racing is some of the most exciting, thrilling competition you’ll ever see, a far cry from team orders, radio conversations and the procession of Formula One.

These skilled racers are the last gladiators, athletes who risk serious injury or worse to become champion. They are part of the bike; both the machine and rider have to work in harmony. Sometimes it’s poetry in motion, graceful, a stunning ballet of rider and machine while at other times it’s sheer grit, determination and bravery while wrestling a 210mph-plus race bike without a safety cage.

You can witness the action up close and see the effort the racers are putting in when the bikes are leant over so far the riders drag their elbows on the track. Bike racing worldwide is worshipped by many, but if you’re new to it here is our simple guide to the 2013 season.

Moto GP

The pinnacle of bike racing, comparable to Formula One. The bikes are prototype machines, pushing the boundaries of what is achievable. This is where the manufacturers get to show their muscle and push technology forward, which makes Moto GP the fastest form of two-wheeled racing and attracts the best riders from around the world.

Thirteen teams travel the world to 18 destinations starting at the Losail Circuit in Qatar this weekend, and finishing in Valencia, Spain, on November 10 to determine the 2013 world champion.

Jorge Lorenzo was crowned world champion last year on board a Yamaha M1, ahead of fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa and his Repsol Honda team-mate Casey Stoner. Two times world champion Lorenzo will be back to defend his title this year, which is shaping up to be one of the most exciting championships in years.

Crowd favourite Valentino Rossi, whom many describe as the greatest racer of all time, has left the uncompetitive Ducati team and is back with Yamaha as a factory rider and will be pushing team-mate Lorenzo all the way. Young star Marc Márquez has joined Repsol Honda, replacing the retired double world champion Stoner, and is showing signs of brilliance in pre-season testing. His team-mate, the experienced Pedrosa, who always seems to be the bridesmaid and never the bride, will be as strong as ever and a bookies favourite.

But what has got British fans’ hearts racing is the chance of home-grown success from Coventry-born Cal Crutchlow, who rides for Monster Yamaha Tech 3. Crutchlow took podiums last year, was quickest in the last pre-season test and nobody fights as hard as the charismatic Briton. Taking the Moto GP title will be extremely hard work on a semi-factory Yamaha, but race wins are a possibility – which we’ve not had since Barry Sheene in 1981. To add to the British excitement Crutchlow is joined by compatriot Bradley Smith, who stands an outside chance of a podium in his first season.

Moto GP calendar

April 7 – Qatar, Doha/Losail

April 21 – Americas, Austin Texas

May 5 – Spain, Jerez

May 19 – France, Le Mans

June 2 – Italy, Mugello

June 16 – Catalunya, Catalunya

June 29 – Netherlands, Assen

July 7 – Germany, Sachsenring

July 21 – United States, Laguna Seca

August 18 – Indianapolis, Indianapolis

August 25 – Czech Republic, Brno

September 1 – Great Britain, Silverstone

September 15 – Italy, Misano

September 29 – Spain, Aragón, Motorland

October 13 – Malaysia, Sepang

October 20 – Australia, Phillip Island

October 27 – Japan, Motegi

November 10 – Spain, Valencia

World Superbikes

The machines are production-based race bikes, like the ones you can buy. On the surface they look very similar to the sport bikes you’ll see on the road yet underneath the skin they are very different.

You can think of Moto GP like F1 and world superbikes as similar to touring cars; production-based racing. However, in the four-wheel world the difference between F1 and touring cars is huge, whereas the difference between Moto GP and WSB is less pronounced.

Despite WSB bikes being production based, top speeds aren’t much slower and lap times are only a second or so slower than the prototype Moto GP machines. What makes WSB exciting is that riders have to race twice in a single day, the grids are usually larger than Moto GP and the racing more closely fought.

In the Nineties WSB was dominated by Ducati, with its rider Briton Carl Fogarty taking four world titles and becoming a household name. Since then we’ve been graced with more champions in the form of Neil Hodgson in 2003 and James Toseland in 2004 and 2007.

For 2013 we have six potential British winners; Leon Camier, Chaz Davies, Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam, last year’s runner-up Tom Sykes and the current joint leader after one round, Eugene Laverty.

World Superbike calendar

February 24 – Australia, Phillip Island

April 14 – Spain, Aragon

April 28 – Netherlands, Assen

May 12 – Italy, Monza

May 26 – UK, Donington

June 9 – Portugal Portimao (STC)

June 30 – Italy, Imola

July 21 – Russia, Moscow Raceway

August 4 – UK, Silverstone

September 1 – Germany, Nurburgring

September 15 – Turkey, Istanbul

September 29 – USA, Laguna Seca

October 6 – France, Magny Cours

October 20 – Spain, Jerez

November 17 – India, Buddh International Circuit

British Superbikes

This is very much like a domestic version of WSB, but with slight rule changes such as a ban on electronic rider aids, controlled tyres and a control ECU to reduce the costs. British superbike racing is seen as one of the most competitive worldwide and attracts an international audience and a plethora of talented national and international riders.

Former WSB and Moto GP racer Shane Byrne took the 2012 title on a Kawasaki. This year he has fierce competition from Japan’s Ryuichi Kiyonari, whose Samsung Honda team-mate Alex Lowes has also shown promise in winter testing. Tyco Suzuki will host an international team with last year’s runner-up Aussie Josh Brookes and American P J Jacobsen. James Ellison, returning from Moto GP heads the Milwaukee Yamaha team, and is joined by Australian Josh Waters.

It’s going to be an exciting BSB championship which is happening on your doorstep – nothing beats watching bike racing live; the noise and the sound can’t be bettered.